Gatwick bidders say second runway is vital

Expansion plan: All three bidders for Gatwick airport have said a second runway is vital to allow them to compete with BAA and improve services for passengers

The prospect of a second runway at Gatwick increased dramatically today as it emerged that all three bidders for the airport are including one in their plans.

It comes amid a furious debate about the expansion of airports in the South-East.

The Evening Standard can reveal that despite concerns about pollution and the environment, offers to be tabled on Monday by the rival companies each argue that a second runway is crucial.

The plans — which come despite an earlier government pledge that no new runway would be built until at least 2019 — are certain to trigger huge protests by local campaign groups.

Protesters claim that any new runway would double carbon emissions, damage or destroy at least three sites officially classed as "of outstanding natural beauty" and sweep away significant chunks of green belt land. The prospect of a second runway has been revived following a decision by the Competition Commission to force BAA, Gatwick's current owner, to sell the airport.

At the time of the pledge not to build a second runway, BAA was happy to bow to campaigners' opposition because it wanted to concentrate its expansion plans on its other London airports at Heathrow and Stansted.

All the new bidders, however, are understood to regard a second runway as vital if they are to be able to compete effectively with BAA and improve services for passengers.

"Gatwick is the busiest single runway airport in the world," said one insider.

"It is clear that any new owner in for the long haul at Gatwick will want to build another runway.

"It is well known construction would not be able to start until 2019 but that means the winning bidder will need to start the planning process almost immediately."

Any decision to build a second runway would cause huge political controversy and would also be likely to trigger a prolonged battle with local residents' groups and environmental campaigners.

A large area of land to the north of Gatwick is designated as green belt, while much of the remaining area surrounding the airport remains relatively undeveloped and includes woodland and several historic villages.

Opponents are also concerned about the substantial increase in noise and pollution, both from aircraft and extra road traffic, that would result.

The three bidders for Gatwick are the Manchester Airport Group, Global Infrastructure Partners and the Lysander consortium. Terra Firma, the private equity company which owns EMI, could yet turn up as backer of one of the bids.